Braced fence-post.



No. 703.1187.` Patented sept. 2, |902.

w. M. SMITH.

"BBACED FENCED POST.

, (Application tiled Dec. 23, 1901.)

(Il o M o d e l FIGJ.

BVM ATTORNEY Rick@ @No wm.

UNITED STAT-Es llbnfrnivfr OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. SMITH, OF NEW CUMBERLAND, WEST VIRGINIA,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO GEORGE A. MCCANDLESS, OF OAKDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

BRACED FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 708,087, datedSeptember 2, 1902.

Application filed December 23, 1901. Serial No. 86,952. (No model.)

T all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Cumberland, in the county of Hancock and State of WestVirginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Braced Fence-Posts, of which improvement the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful 1o improvements in bracedfence-posts.

The invention relates particularly to such posts as are employed at thecorners, ends, and gateways of wire fences.

In fences constructed of wire the strains I5 upon the posts, due tocontraction, sagging, dac., make it necessary that they be properlybraced and constructed to withstand such strainsand retain theirusefulness for an indefinite period; and with these objects in view zo Ihave invented a braced post which is admirably adapted to fulfil theabove requirements.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated such improvements, inwhich- Figure I is a side elevation of the braced post, portions ofwhich are sectionally shown and having attached thereto a portion ofvawire fence. Fig. II is a plan view of the same, in which the post isshown in section on the line A A of Fig. I. Fig. III is a plan view of3o the post in section, on the line'B B of Fig. I, having the brace andfence removed. Fig. IV is a plan view of the same post adapted for usein fence-corners".

Further referring to said drawings, particularly Figs. I, II, and III,for a detailed description Ithereof, the numeral I designates acylindrical metal post having ribs 2 upon its the same general contouras that of the post-` surface, and thereby preventing its turning. Asimilar link is adjustably fitted about the post a short distance abovethe terra-cotta 5o base-piece, which link I prefer for convenience inapplying the same thereto' to be of two parts hingedly connected at oneend and clamped at or near the opposite by an elongated link 8. Arod orsupplemental post 9 is iitted into the outer ends of said links, and tothe body of this rod is connected the wire fencing material l0, whichmaterial may be of any suitable structure.

If the post is intended to be employed at a gateway to support the gate,the additional 6o links l1 and l2 are fitted thereto, said link 12 beingpreferably of two parts hingedly connected at one end and clamped at theopposite by an elongated link 13, so that the same may be convenientlyapplied after the base is attached to the post or when set up.

Engaging the post on the fence side and at an inclination is thetwo-legged brace-rod 14, the legs of which straddle the fence and, likethe post, have cemented to their ends the 7o terra-cotta bases 15, andat the upper end terminates in a fork-like portion to partly surroundthe post, said fork or post engaging lportion being composed of castmetal and rigidly secured in suitable manner to theends of said legs.Fitted over said post above the brace-fork is a plate .17, which .isprovided with a downwardly-extended tongue I7' to engage the brace-fork.The plate andl other attachments between the same and annular 8o Ilangeare rigidly heldin position by a cap 1S, screwed upon the post-top.

To prevent spreading of the brace-legs, as well asprevent possibility ofthe longitudinal strain thereupon forcing the same through their bases,I connect one leg with the other by a cross-piece 20.

At Fig. IV, I have shown a plan View of the same post and bracestructure as applied to a fence-corner with three lines of fence, it be-9o ing readily apparent that additional braces and supplemental postsmay be connected in accordance to requirements. Itis also readilyapparent that this post andbrace structure is admirably adapted for thepurpose intended. As its parts are comparatively few and simple, theymay be quickly assembled and erected in position by any one possessed ofordinary intelligence. Furthermore, the same will, owing to thenon-corrosive base-pieces, roo remain useful for an indefinite length oftime when put to practical use and effectually withstand the strains dueto contraction, dac., in this class of fences.

Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim as new,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a wire felice, a braced post comprisinga tubularmetal postbody having an adjustable cap fitted to its upper end and atubular non-rotting or nonrusting base secured to the buried end,atwolegged V-shaped brace circumferentially engaging said post beneaththe cap and extending therefrom at an inclination in the direction ofand to straddle the fence With tubular non-rotting or non-rustingbase-pieces secured to the buried ends thereof, links carried by saidpost extending laterally therefrom in a line with the felice, and a rodloosely fitted into said links to engage the fence-wires, as shown andset forth.

2. In combination with a wire fence, a braced fence-post comprising atubular metal post having an adjustable cap fitted toits upper end and atubular non-rotting or nonrusting base-piece secured to the buried end,a two-legged V-shaped brace circumferentially engaging said post beneaththe cap and extending therefrom at an inclination in the direction ofand to straddle the fence with tubular non-rotting or non-rustingbasepieces secured to the buried ends thereof, links carried by saidpost extending laterally therefrom in a line with the fence, a rodloosely fitted into said links to engage the fence-Wires, andlaterally-extended gatesuspending members carried by said post, as shownand set forth.

3. In combination with a wire fence, a braced post comprising a tubularmetal postbody having an adjustable cap fitted to its upper end and atubular non-rotting or nonrusting base-piece secured to the buried end,a plurality of two-legged V-shaped braces circumferentially engagingsaid post beneath the cap and extending therefrom at an inclination inthe direction of and to straddle the fences leading thereto and havingnonrotting or non-rusting base-pieces secured upon their' buried ends,links carried by said post extending laterally therefrom in line withthe fences, and rods loosely fitted into said links to engage thefence-Wires, as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM M. SMITH.

XVitnesses:

RICHARD S. HARRISON, JAS. J. MCAFEE.

